NEARLY 500 jobs will be created at a new pensions centre to be set up in the former Stockport Infirmary.

This is fantastic pre-Christmas news for Stockport which comes just two weeks after the announcement of nearly 1,000 job losses in the area with BAE Systems' decision to halve its workforce.

Work and Pensions Secretary Alistair Darling announced yesterday (Tuesday) that he is setting up a pensions centre in the former Stockport Infirmary which is a prestige office complex, now known as Millennium House. This will create 490 jobs.

The centre will take up all four floors of Millennium House, built behind a period Grade II listed building facade, which has been combined into the design, on the A6, near Stockport railway station.

The news was welcomed by Stockport MP Ann Coffey, who said: "This is very good news for Stockport.

"The old infirmary has been renovated as a new building for the millennium. It is fitting that the pension service should be there."

She added: "I think it shows once again how important Stockport is because of its transport links.

"This is particularly good news because of the recent redundancies announced in the area.

"The development is also good news for pensioners because they will have a specially dedicated service. Their inquiries will be dealt with quickly."

The news has been warmly welcomed by Councillor Fred Ridley, leader of the council and chairman of Stockport Economic Alliance, who said the alliance had worked closely with the developers to bring the building into use.

"I am delighted Stockport has been chosen for a pensions centre in this prominent building which is handy for the local bus, road and rail network.

"It also ties in with Stockport's economic strategy for inward investment," he added.

Councillor Mark Hunter, deputy council leader and executive member with responsibility for regeneration, described it as 'tremendous news for Stockport'. He added: "It is clearly another vote of confidence for Stockport."

The 42,585 sq ft of office space has been let by Manchester-based developers Bruntwood only 14 months after starting the project.

"Although we designed Millennium House to ensure it would work on both a sole and multi-occupation basis, we were always optimistic that we would be able to find a sole occupier," said Andrew Butterworth, Bruntwood's sales and development surveyor.

Many of the staff at the new centre will be recruited from outside the Department of Work and Pensions.

Mr Darling said: "From 2002 the Pension Service will provide a local national network, working with local authorities and voluntary organisations to provide a high quality service by whatever means of contact they prefer - telephone, Internet, post or face-to-face.

"These centres will allow us to concentrate on helping our customers directly. The new site at Stockport will be one of 26 centres that will use modern technology to process claims."

Pensions Minister Ian McCartney said: "The Pension Service will treat pensioners as people. It will provide a gateway to a range of help to make sure pensioners have their full and proper entitlement to financial support.

"It will be a service designed to work for pensioners and not to serve bureaucracy."